LIVINGSTON, Texas – Livingston police gave out “turkey tickets” instead of citations to 20 drivers ahead of Thanksgiving, surprising them with $20 H-E-B gift cards.
For the first time, the Livingston Police Department partnered with a local insurance company to hand out gift cards to drivers pulled over for minor traffic violations.
Lt. Jack Mueller was on patrol during the stops and pointed out the first vehicle with an unreadable license plate.
“Be this one right here… their license plate was tucked up in the dashboard, can’t read it,” he said.
The stop began like any other.
“Hello, how are you?! I’m Lt. Mueller with the Livingston Police Department. The reason we stopped you is because your license plate is unreadable on the front,” he told the driver.
Instead of a citation, drivers were offered a “turkey ticket,” a gift card to help with Thanksgiving expenses.
“Alrighty Ms. Hooker, do you want a citation for the license plate? Do I want one? Not really. How about a turkey ticket? Okay, do you know what that is? It’s a gift card for a turkey to get your Thanksgiving going. Oh wow. That sounds better than a ticket, yeah? I appreciate it,” Lt. Mueller said.
Twenty drivers received gift cards on Tuesday, all courtesy of a local insurance company supporting the department’s holiday outreach.
Lt. Mueller said the goal was simple.
“She was nervous, you know, that’s what we expect, but I definitely think she was happy not to get a ticket,” he said.
KPRC 2 rode along as officers looked for drivers committing minor violations.
“This guy is riding over the white lines, so let’s stop him for that,” Lt. Mueller said.
“Yes sir, what did I do?” the driver asked.
“I’m Lt. Mueller with the Livingston Police Department. The reason we stopped you is because back there under the bridge you were riding that white line. You weren’t in your lane all the way,” Lt. Mueller explained.
“Ohh!! Didn’t even realize it,” the driver said.
“No, it’s not a big deal. You got a driver’s license on you?” Lt. Mueller asked.
One driver admitted he was nervous.
“Alrighty, here’s your information back. Okay, do you want a ticket for that or no?”
“Not really.”
“How about a turkey ticket? Do you know what that is?”
“No.”
“This is a gift card for some turkey or whatever you want to do for Thanksgiving.”
“Thank you very much. Better than a ticket,” the driver said.
His first purchase?
“Probably the turkey.”
Lt. Mueller said while the government has reopened, many families are still feeling financial strain.
“The government is back open now. It’s not an immediate fix to it. I’m pretty sure there’s a lot of people still struggling to put food on the table,” he said.
Drivers expressed their appreciation.
“Thank you… that’s crazy.”
“Every little bit helps. That’s $20 of H-E-B gift cards right there.”
The “turkey ticket” initiative marks the first time Livingston Police have tried this holiday giveaway. They are already gearing up for their Shop with a Cop event in December.